U.S.A. and Canada East Coast Travel Part III(Colborne, Thousand Islands and Ottawa City)

U.S.A. and Canada East Coast Travel Part III(Colborne, Thousand Islands and Ottawa City)

Day 5  Wednesday, 17 June 2015

The Apple Farm, Colborne

At 8 in the morning we left Toronto and intended to to go  to Quebec City in the north-east. After travelling for an hour we stopped for awhile for a toilet visit at a restaurant, The Big Apple, at Colborne.

This restaurant made large apple pies for sale. Besides, it sells many other apple products, like apple cider, apple chips, candy apples, caramel apples, apple bread and apple dumplings. Wine, chocolate, maple biscuits, souvenir gifts, clothes and many more are sold there, too.

 

 

Wooden Boards

The most interesting things for sale that amused me at this restaurant were the wooden boards with words on the walls. The words on them were words of advice, inspiration and family rules. I think the family rules are good for kids’ bedrooms as a frequent reminder for them to follow. For examples: “Say Please & Thank You”, “Love One Another”, “Work Hard” and “Keep Your Promises”.

Here are some photos of the wall-boards with family rules, sayings and inspirational words in the restaurant.

 

 

 

Outdoor Activites

Outside The Big Apple is an area for outdoor activities for visitors, like mini-golf and ping-pong games, and train-ride. Besides, there is a small orchard of young apple plants, garden and huge red apple structure that has an observation deck on its top.

 

Milepost

There is a tall milepost near the entrance of The Big Apple. It carries many names of cities in the world each pointing towards its location and showing its distance from the restaurant. Out of curiosity, I looked for a city in my country. I found one. It was Kuala Lumpur, the capital of my country, Malaysia, and it was 14 810 km away. I told myself that I was over halfway round the world.

 

 

Rockport

Having spent an hour at The Big Apple, we moved on. An hour and a half later, we reached a small village, Rockport,where we would tour round a cluster of islands known as Thousand Islands on River St. Lawrence.

 

 

Thousand Islands

Located on St. Lawrence River between Brockville and Kingston in Ontario, Canada, over 1,800 islands ranging in area from 100 sq. km to 0.09 sq. m are, collectively, known as Thousand Islands. It is a scenic, tranquil place with unspoilt, lush, natural landscapes. Some of these islands have cottages and luxurious houses that attract city-dwellers to be away from the hustle and bustle of their cities in summer. They can get themselves involved in healthy out-door activities, like fishing, boating, swimming, kayaking and diving.

 

Boat-Cruise Round Thousand Islands

On arrival at Rockport, we had a box-lunch while our tour manager went to buy boat-tickets for us. Half an hour later, we all boarded a boat and went cruising on River St.Lawrence. We saw a large, beautiful, medieval castle, Boldt Castle, on a large island, and two islands, Zavikon Islands, connected by a bridge. Many tour-guides say, jokingly, that the bridge is the shortest international bridge in the world because it connects the two islands belonging to two different countries, Canada and U.S.A.. As we were cruising, continuously, we saw more islands with cottages and luxurious houses.

 

 

 

 

After that enjoyable boat-ride round the Thousand Islands, we left for Ottawa City at 1.30 p.m.

Ottawa City

At 3.10 p,m. we arrived in Ottawa City in Ontario. It is the official national capital of Canada since 1867. Ottawa was chosen as the national capital by Queen Victoria in 1867 as it was between Montreal and Toronto, and was along the border of Ontario and Quebec(the centre of Canada at that time when only 4 provinces became a new nation). Besides, it was far from the American border and was safe from attacks.

In this city, there are several heritage buildings, monuments, museums, historic sites and landmarks.

Parliament of Canada

On arrival at the capital, we went straight to the historic site, Parliament Hill and its surroundings, for a short visit.  First, we went to see the Parliament of Canada on the Parliament Hill along Wellington Road.

East and West Blocks

The Parliament consists of three buildings which are the East Block, the Centre Block and the West Block. The East Block and West Block were both built in Victorian High Gothic Revival architectural style during the same time(1859-1865). Both house the parliamentarians’ offices.

Centre Block

The Centre Block was built in 1917-1920 to replace the old one that was destroyed by fire in 1916. It is home to the Senate, the House of Commons and the Library of Parliament. The parliamentarians meet here to discuss, debate, define, decide and celebrate.

In the middle of the Centre Block is a tall tower with a clock known as The Peace Tower. Built in 1919-1927, the tower is dedicated to over 65 000 Canadian soldiers who died in WWI(1914-1918).

 

Centennial Flame

In front of the Parliament is a Centennial Flame created to commemorate the 100th. anniversary as a confederation(Formation of Canada) on 1 January 1967. Round the flame are 12 shields each representing a province or territory.

Langevin Block

Looking across Wellington Road, I saw a brown building built in 1884 in French Empire architectural style. It houses the Prime Minister’s office and Privy Council office.

Roving Information Officer

Near the Centennial Flame I met a lady roving information officer in navy blue with a white question mark. She carried an electronic tablet that contained information about the historic landmarks and history of Canada. She was a friendly and helpful officer.

 

 

Then I went alone to nearby places to look for anything that was interesting as I had little time left to look around. I was glad that I came across the following:

a. Rideau Canal

Rideau Canal, a 202 km-waterway with stepped locks, is one of the landmarks of Ottawa City. Located near the Parliament Hill, it was constructed in 1828 to connect the St. Lawrence River to the Ottawa River as a precautionary measure in case of war with the Americans. In 2007 it was designated as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

b. Fairmont Chateau Laurier

On a bank of Rideau Canal stands a huge, impressive-looking building that looks like a castle. It was built in French Gothic Chateauesque architectural style in 1912 as a hotel with 429 guest-rooms

c. Government Conference Centre

Opposite Fairmont Chateau Laurier is an old building. From 1912 until 1966, it was used as a city railway station. It is now used as a place for gatherings of government servants and politicians.

 

d. Statue of Sir Wilfrid Laurier(1841-1919)

Sir Wilfrid Laurier was the 7th. Prime Minister of Canada for 15 years. One of the greatest statesmen and the longest serving Prime Minister in Canada. I found that statue behind East Block of the Parliament of Canada on the Parliament Hill.

“The Fight for Canada 1812-1815” or “War of 1812” Monument

This monument is next to the statue of Sir Wilfrid Laurier behind East Block of the Parliament of Canada. It is known as “The Fight for Canada, 1812-1815” or “War of 1812”, but the Toronto sculptor, Adrienne Alison, named his creation as “Triumph Through Diversity”. He thought that it was the combined efforts of people from various walks of life who fought on land and water that saved their country, Canada, from the Americans during the 1812-1815 War.

The monument shows a Metis fighter firing a cannon, a British regular aiming a musket, a Canadian militiaman raising his arm in triumph, a First Nation warrior pointing to the distance, a royal Navy sailor pulling a rope and a woman bandaging the arm of a Voltigeur.

e. Statue of Terry Fox(1958-1981)

Terry Fox was a well-known Canadian who tried to run across his country to raise money for cancer research. In 1980 he started his run from St. John’s in Newfoundland even though he had cancer and a prosthetic leg. After running for 5 373 km in 143 days, he stopped running at a place near Thunder Bay in Ontario in 1980. It was because his left leg was made worse by cancer. A few months later he passed away.

In 1983, a statue of him created by John Hooper, was erected near Langevin Block to honour him for his heroism, courage and determination to help cancer-researchers.

His good deed inspires lots of people to participate in the “Terry Fox Run”, annually, in over 50 countries to raise funds for cancer research.

 

 

 

f. National War Monument 

The National War Memorial is located between Rideau Canal and Langevin Block. Erected in 1939, it was dedicated by King George VI of England to the Canadian soldiers who died in WWI(1914-1918). Later, this memorial was dedicated to Canadian soldiers who died in other wars, viz. Second Boer War(1899-1902), WWII(1939-1945), Korean War(1950-1953) and war in Afghanistan(2001-2014).

A grave of an unknown soldier is created at the base of the memorial. It is dedicated to the past, present and future soldiers.

 

 

Statues around National War Memorial

Around the National War Memorial, there are several statues erected to honour those Canadians who had made invaluable contributions to their nation.

Here are some of them I came across at the National War Memorial.

Statue of Pierr Le Moyne d’Iberville(1661-1706)

Born in Montreal, Pierr Le Moyne d’Iberville was a great commander who had courage to attack three English vessels in Hudson Bay in 1697. He sank one, boarded another and captured their outpost at York Fort near Toronto.

Statue of Lt. Colonel Charles-Michel d’Irumberry de Salaberry(1778-1829)

In 1813, Salaberry defeated a superior American force at the Battle of Chateauguay and saved Lower Canada from the American Invasion during the War of 1812.

Statue of Andrew Mynarski(1916-1944)

Mynarski was a pilot officer who tried to save his rear gunner on his burning Lancaster bomber, but failed to do so during WWII(1939-1945). The gunner, miraculously, manged to save himself. Mynarski died of his burns, later. That statue is erected to honour his heroic deed.

 

 

Statue of Thyayendanegeal(Joseph Brant, 1742-1807)

Thyayendanegeal was “a notable Mohawk warrior, statesman, and provincial war chief of the six nations he led his people in support of the British. After the war, he brought his people to Canada to settle near where Brantford now stands.”

Statue of Laura Secord(1775-1858)

Laura Secord warned the commander of a Beaver Dams British camp of an impending American attack during the War of 1812. War of 1812 was fought between the U.S.A. and the British, and it lasted for 2 years and 8 months.

Paying Respect to Fallen Soldiers

Before I left the National War Memorial, I saw a soldier in dark green uniform standing in front of the grave of the unknown soldier paying respect to all the fallen Canadian soldiers who had fought overseas. Two soldiers at their sentry-boxes were watching him.

 

 

Departure for Montreal City 

At 4 p.m. we left Ottawa City for Montreal City in the east. Two hours later, we arrived in the city and went straight to a Chinese restaurant known as Red Ruby Rouge in Chinatown to have dinner.

Sheraton Hotel

After dinner, we went to a hotel near the Montreal Airport in the outskirt of the city called Sheraton and stayed there for a night.

 

 

Previous / Home / Next
 
U.S.A & Canada East Coast Travel

Part I   Philadelphia & Washington D.C.

Part II   Niagara Falls & Toronto City

Part III Colborne, 1000 Islands & Ottawa City

Part IV  Montreal & Quebec City

Part V   Boston

Part VI  New York

Part VII Woodbury, JFK Airport & Home

U.S.A. and Canada East Coast Travel Part II(Niagara Falls and Toronto City)

U.S.A. and Canada East Coast Travel Part II

Day 3 Monday, 15 June 2015

Harrisburg – Niagara Falls 

At 8.30 in the morning we left Harrisburg for a long journey to Niagara Falls. After four hours on the road we stopped at Corning for lunch. At 1.30 p.m. we moved on again.. At 4.30 p,m. we arrived at an American border check-point at Niagara Falls(New York), crossed a long bridge, Rainbow Bridge, which is over River Niagara, went through a Canadian border check-point at Niagara Falls(Ontario) and finally we checked in at Sheraton Hotel in the city.

 

View of Waterfalls(Niagara Falls)

In the hotel, my wife and I got a room on the 6th. floor. Looking out of a window, I was awe-struck by the spectacular sight of a waterfall, American Falls, with large volume of water falling down 50 m, continuously, and a smaller one next to it, Bridal Veil Falls, on the American side. Unfortunately, I could not see the third waterfall, Horseshoe Falls on the Canadian side, which was further away from my room as it was blocked by a few trees in a park known as Queen Victoria Park. All those waterfalls straddle on the international U.S.A.-Canada border. Water from Lake Erie falls over these waterfalls into River Niagara and then to Lake Ontario. Looking down the hotel, I could see a manicured garden below.

 

Clifton Hill Theme Park

After leaving our luggage in our rooms, my tour group and I gathered at the lobby. Then our tour manager, Andy Yuan, led us along Clifton Hill Street to a Chinese restaurant, Lotus Restaurant, to have dinner. On the way up the street, we noticed an array of attractions, entertainments, restaurants and shops along it.

 

Soon we arrived at a Chinese restaurant, known as Lotus Restaurant, where we had dinner. After dinner, my wife and I walked down Clifton Hill Street, leisurely, and stopped at a few attractions.

 

Queen Victoria Garden

Then we entered a garden known as Queen Victoria Garden. A statue of an unknown soldier on a high pedestal at the garden attracted my attention. The words engraved on the pedestal said that it was dedicated to the men of Niagara Falls who had fallen in WWI(1914-1918) and WWII(1939-1945).

 

 

 

Evening Walk

Finally, we walked along the bank of River Niagara enjoying the spectacular scenery of the three Niagara waterfalls, viz. American Waterfalls, Bridal Veil Waterfalls and Horseshoe Waterfalls. Soon it was dark and the waterfalls were lit with coloured lights.

 

 Day 4   Tuesday, 16 June 2015

Hornblower Boat River Boat Ride

At 9 in the morning we walked a short distance from our hotel, Sheraton, to a Hornblower Boat Cruise kiosk. At the kiosk our tour manager, Andy Yuan, bought tickets for us for a boat ride on River Niagara to see the three famous Niagara waterfalls at close range.

 

 

Plastic Poncho

When we entered the boat landing platform we were each given a thin, red, plastic poncho to put on. There were many people queuing up for the ride.

At 10 a.m. we were all on a boat and soon it was moving slowly passing by the American Waterfalls and Bridal Veil Waterfalls. As it was moving close to them we were quite excited watching and hearing volumes of water pouring down into River Niagara, continuously.

 

Migratory Birds

A few minutes later, we saw hundreds of migratory seagulls on a cliff and many flying over River Niagara. Then the largest waterfall among the three, Horseshoe Waterfalls, stood tall right in front of all of us. A minute later, we disappeared in the water falling off the waterfall that was about 60 metres high, without stopping.

 

Thunderous Water

The boat stopped very close to it for a short while. For that short time we heard the thunderous water above us  falling like heavy rain and hitting us hard. Besides, the visibility was almost zero. That was an unforgettable but painful experience.

Nik Wallenda, a famous tightrope walker

It was on 16 June, 2012. a 33 year-old man from Florida, Nik Wallenda, walked on a 550 metre tightrope from Goat Island on the American side, over the waters of Horseshoe Waterfalls 53 metres below and to the Canadian side in 25 minutes. He gained a Guinness World record for that incredible feat. He had a few previous records.

Skylon Tower

After the boat ride, we went to the tallest tower in Niagara Falls Town known as Skylon Tower. Standing 775 feet tall, we went up by an elevator in a shape of a capsule known as “Yellow Bug”. It took about 50 seconds to reach the top. During that time a lady elevator attendant inside talked about the tower. She spoke fast and with a voice that sounded like a parrot. I guess she was saying the same thing whenever new visitors entered her elevator. She was an amazing lady.

Revolving Dining Room of Skylon Tower

At the top of the tower we had lunch in a revolving dining room. As the room was rotating, slowly, we were enjoying our food and the breathtaking views of the waterfalls and the town outside the glass-windows.

 

Toronto City

At 2.15 p.m. we left Niagara Falls for Toronto. Over two hours later, we arrived at the city.

Established in 1793, Toronto is the capital of Ontario Province having a large population of over 2.6 millions. It is an international centre for business and finance and well-known for skyscrapers and high-rise buildings. There are about 1800 tall buildings which are over 30 metres high.

CN Tower

On arrival at Toronto at 3.30 p.m. we headed straight for the downtown to see the tallest building in the city known as CN Tower. Completed building in 1976, CN Tower which is 553 metres high is the 3rd. tallest building in the world. It is used for telecommunication and a tourist attraction. At its top, it has an observation room that offers a 360 degree panorama of the city and edge-walk experience.

 

Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada

Beside the tower is an aquarium opened to public in 2013. It is known as Ripley’s Aquarium of Canada where over 13 000 sea and freshwater specimens from over 450 species live.

Old and New City Halls of Toronto City

Later, we went to see the old and new city halls in the neigbourhood. The old city hall looks massive as it is built in the Romanesque style of the 11th. and 12th. centuries. There is a clock-tower that is not in the middle of the building. It administered the city from 1899 until 1966 when its job was taken over by a new building complex located a few hundred metres from it. The old one is now used as a court house.

The new city hall has a futuristic look. It consists of a saucer-like council chamber surrounded by a 20-storey curved building on one side and 27-storey curved building on another side. Looking from the top, this city hall looks like an eye, hence it is called “The Eye of Government”.

 

Chinatown

There are five Chinatowns in Toronto City. We went to the largest Chinatown where the crossroads of Dundas Street and Spadina Avenue is located. We had dinner at a Chinese restaurant on Dundas Street known as Dim Sum King Seafood Restaurant.

Like any Chinatown in the world, the Chinatown is a home to many ethnic Chinese immigrants who went there to seek jobs and do business. Chinese restaurants, bakeries, medicine shops, arts and crafts shops, fruit shops and many more are found there.

 

Electric Streetcar

A popular but old means of transport in the Old Toronto Town is the streetcars runs on electricity. TTCToronto Transit Commission) has been operating the cars since 1921. At the crossroads of Dundas Street and Spadina Avenue, streetcars can be seen crossing it, frequently.

After dinner at Dim Sum King Restaurant in Chinatown, we went to check in at a hotel, Hotel Delta Toronto East and had a good stay there.

Previous / Home / Next 
U.S.A & Canada East Coast Travel

Part I   Philadelphia & Washington D.C.

Part II   Niagara Falls & Toronto City

Part III Colborne, 1000 Islands & Ottawa City

Part IV  Montreal & Quebec City

Part V   Boston

Part VI  New York

Part VII Woodbury, JFK Airport & Home

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